THE SAMOAN CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1889, 9 May 1889, Page 1

THE SAMOAN CONFERENCE.

Berlin, May 5. The Samoan Commission has ascertained that the land claims exceed the total area ol Ihe whole island. Mr Sewell and Herr Bnnders have both been attending the sittings. The Emperor will formally receive the delegates after ins return from Kiel, ( A White Book has been published containing despatches from Dr Knappe, formerly German Consul at Samoa, in which he condemns the unwarrantable hoisting of the American and British flags over the huts and land belonging to Natives. Ho alleges the natives pledged some lands claimed by the tiermans for arms and ammunition. The soldiers, therefore, were quite justified in hoisting their own national flag. Dr Knappe also states Captain Hand, of the British cruiser Royalist, declared ho "could not support,, claims made for possession of this hypothecated land An American firm had for years imported handkerchiefs bearing the national colors and portraits of the President, and since the outbreak these had been hoisted recklessly over houses and huts in all directions. Considerable excitement was caused in Berlin by the inopportune publication of these despatches. The despatches attack the American sailors, and asserts that Mataafa ordered his followers to abstain from rescuing the Germans during the disastrous storm in March, May 6. The Conference is discussing the question of the kingship, with a guarantee of order by the Government in Samoa. A Land Commission is to be appointed. London, May 6 . The Samoan Conference held its second meeting on Saturday, and received the report of the sab-committee appointed to consider the land question. It is understood the report was considered satisfactory, and another subcommittee was appointed to consider the future form of Government of the islands. It is expected the Samoans will be asked to elect their own King, but it is anticipated the question of the foreign control cf this ruler will be likely to raise considerable difficulty,